You certainly know what a jellyfish is. But did you know
that there are different types of jellyfish? In fact, there are more than 2000
different species of jellyfish according to Smithsonian
Magazine. Here are ten different ones that just might fascinate you if you
look closely!

1.
Aequorea
Victoria. This jellyfish is also known as the crystal jellyfish. That makes
it sounds like it’s got a great glittery look and it certainly does have a neat
translucent appearance. However, it’s also cool because of how it has helped
science. It has a protein in it called GFP that has been used in a number of
scientific experiments including the creation of a rabbit that glows underneath
blacklights! GFP has also been used to help study cell processes to help solve
serious health problems like Alzheimer’s. In terms of the jellyfish itself,
this protein makes it look a really cool fluorescent blue green color.

2.
Australian
Box Jellyfish. You may have heard somewhere that jellyfish are dangerous.
That’s true but none are as dangerous as the Australian Box Jellyfish. Also
called a Sea Wasp, this jellyfish is frightening in appearance when you finally
see it but it’s tough to see since it’s almost completely transparent. When you
do see them, you might think that you’re looking at a mutant of some kind since
they have multiple eyeballs on their stomachs. Creepy! They tend to be
cube-shaped instead of dome-shaped so if you see something like that in the
water then you might want to get away!

3.
Bathykorus
Bouilloni. This is one super cool jellyfish that was discovered just within
the past ten years. It’s a deep sea jellyfish that thrives in the Arctic. It
made headlines not only because it emerged as yet another new species of
jellyfish but also because it looks a lot like Darth Vader! Scientifically
speaking, “the species has four primary tentacles, four secondary tentacles,
with three interradial manubrial pouches in each quadrant.” (source)

4.
Costa
Rican Jellyfish. These just might be the strangest jellyfish that you’ve
never seen. They live in a part of the waters of Costa Rica that are
ridiculously hot (more than six hundred degrees in temperature) at a depth of
more than 8000 feet below the water’s surface. Unlike other jellyfish, these
jellyfish are a dark pink color. Their official name is Stauromedusae, which
makes you think of serpent-haired Medusa, an apt description of the creepiness
of these creatures!

5.
Flower
Hat Jelly. This jellyfish is named because of the way that it looks like it
has a neon pink flower hat atop its head (although it’s official name is
Olindias Formosa). It’s a stunner. In addition to pink it has purple and orange
hues that are eye-catching. It is found in the waters of Brazil and Argentina
although it has also been spotted in Japanese waters. It is a fairly small jellyfish
at just about six inches across but it’s definitely one worth looking for if
you ever get an opportunity!

6.
Foot Long
Tentacles Jellyfish. Smithsonian Magazine reports that there is believed to
be a twelve-inch long jellyfish that lives in the frozen waters underneath the
ice of the West Antarctic! The fact that this jellyfish can exist in the same
world as the Costa Rican Jellyfish that thrives in 600 degree waters really
emphasizes how many different types of jellyfish there must be in the world! Learn
more.

7.
Moon
Jellyfish. These are some of the most common jellyfish that people are
actually familiar with. If you have ever seen jellyfish in an aquarium,
pulsating in a magical type of manner then it was probably a moon jellyfish
that you were looking at. Wikipedia describes its appearance: “The medusa is
translucent, usually about 25–40 cm in diameter, and can be recognized by its
four horseshoe-shaped gonads that are easily seen through the top of the bell.”
They may be what we now consider “traditional” in appearance but they are
enjoyed specifically for their aesthetic beauty. This jellyfish is officially
named the Aurelia Aurita and also goes by the names Saucer Jelly and Common
Jelly.

8.
Normura’s
Jellyfish. Can you imagine swimming up to a Jellyfish that was even bigger
than you are? They do exist even though they sound like something out of a
horror movie. They’re called Normuras and they can be as big as 100 feet in
length and more than six feet in diameter. If you were able to pick one of
these jellyfish up you’d be holding something as heavy as 450 pounds! They
exist primarily off of the coast of Japan.

9.
Phialella
Zappai. What might interest you most about this jellyfish is its name. If
you can’t tell from just looking at the name, it is named after musician Frank
Zappa. That’s because the scientist who discovered this type of jellyfish among
the many different jellyfish out there in the world was a Zappa fan. He
reportedly wrote to Zappa to let him know he was naming a jellyfish after him
and ended up meeting him in person as a result.

10. Rhopilema Esculentum. That’s a mouthful
to say, isn’t it? It’s also a mouthful of jellyfish because this type of
jellyfish is known for being edible. They are cultured in China and go into
various dishes there. What is interesting is that the stings from these
jellyfish can be harmful to humans even though it is safe to ingest them.

So, have you learned about a type of jellyfish that you
never knew about?

Comments

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antdonio

5 years ago

this crap is somewhat good I give it a 4 from 1-10

Elizabeth

6 years ago

I think there is another type of jellyfish called the mid-water jellyfish, but i do not know too much about it if that helps any.

mamaz

6 years ago

I love jellyfish because there are cute and pretty and like water

hi

6 years ago

uoiuoiuoiiuhyiu

vibesites

6 years agofrom United States

I think that box jellyfish is the same one I saw on Finding Nemo?

909090909

6 years ago

wow cool info

nun u yo bees wax

6 years ago

i just found a baby jellyfish in reding california!!!

Volitans

6 years agofrom Seattle

Jellies, and cnidarians in general, are truly fascinating critters. I'd love to keep an upside-down jellyfish some day.

hriuodhtoiyghrfcyuoiftjvb

6 years ago

hello dear people

Shaddie

6 years agofrom Washington state

Moon jellies are my favorite :)

edelhaus

7 years agofrom Munich, Germany

Jellyfish have a wonderful ethereal quality, like gossamer floating on a breeze. There's something really poetic about them and just like a rose their beauty is potentially dangerous. They're most beautiful when "swimming," as long as its not anywhere near me! Great article.

carahoyler

7 years ago

I absolutely love jellyfish and would have to bravely say that I am in love with the Australian Box Jellyfish. The picture you published of him is just stellar. So intriguing and super fun read.

CZCZCZ

7 years agofrom Oregon

Interesting hub on Jellyfish it was unique and interesting to read thanks for sharing the information.

123

7 years ago

good

herbert

7 years ago

A jelly fish stung me on the bottom once.

Hello, hello,

8 years agofrom London, UK

Wow, you done some terrific work there and thank you for a very interesting hub.

Robin J. Storm

8 years agofrom Ontario, Canada

I love these kinds of articles about mysterious sea creatures. Jellyfish can kill or be harmless, very fascinating world huh?

DOGS 101

8 years agofrom Planet Earth

Never knew there were that many kinds of jellyfish. Thanks for the education. However, I doubt if I would ever come in contact with those jellyfish.

Dallas W Thompson

8 years agofrom Bakersfield, CA

As a scuba diver, I enjoyed this article!

Flag up!

Granny's House

8 years agofrom Older and Hopefully Wiser Time

I have been stung by jellyfish. They are beautiful but boy they can smart!

24news

8 years agofrom India

Great hub!!! i have heard about Jellyfish but don't know the details and types. thanks for sharing.... simply vote up this article....

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